Dear Diary,

It’s day 5 of party planing, and I’m still hungry! This time, I had a taste for cake and ice cream–a staple in the birthday diet.

On Friday, I followed my sweet tooth to Bella Christie and Lil’ Z’s Sweet Boutique’s website to pick out a birthday cake.  

I always read the About Us section on websites. I have something in common with almost everyone– even if it’s something simple like favorite foods or music.  I enjoy making the connections and hearing  their stories. In this case, the women behind the bakery are two sisters with three kids between them, just like Farah and I. They grew up in their grandmother’s kitchen and never let go of her apron strings. Before clicking through the photo gallery, I knew Kristen and Kadee would create Baby C’s birthday cake. They know first-hand how important this party is to me, especial for the first bun in the oven. They were so excited about my blog and birthday bash, they decided to become a proud sponsor of Diary of a First Time Mom!

I come from a family of cooks. I didn’t inherit that gene per say, but did enjoy growing up in a house where we celebrated birthdays with eight different desserts.  At each event, my mother and aunt would bake an apple pie for my grandfather, a triple chocolate fudge cake for my sister, a raspberry tart for my grandmother and a family favorite for almost everyone in the room. You didn’t have to blow out the candles to get a personalized sweet treat.  So before I even started planning this party, I knew a dessert bar with a cake, cake pops, cupcakes and cookies would be the centerpiece.  The Very Hungry Caterpillar also eats through ice cream and cherry pies, so my wish list grows longer each day.  Right now, I wish I went to the bakery in person, because I am beginning to drool as I click through the site!  My first order of business is to order a three-tiered fondant cake.

When I told the bakers that the birthday bash had a color scheme, they mixed up a batter to match! The multi-colored polka dot bubble gum balls also matched the book’s design.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar eats through ice cream cones. If he knew Bella Christie’s could conjure up a chocolate covered marshmallow version, I’m sure he would gobble it up as well!

The fat cat-erpilar also ate cherry pies!

Very Extravagant

Order a tiered fondant cake from Bella Christie’s.  Display the cake, as well as cake pops and cookies, on silver stands.  I asked the bakery if they could crate marshmallow ice cream cones, since they already make chocolate dipped marshmallows.  I also bought a butterfly hand puppet from the Eric Carle Museum to place in front of the cake, so people could see the realistic detail.

Very Affordable

Instead of a fondant cake, order a batch of cupcakes or cake pops for the little ones.  If you still want to get a traditional cake, skip the fondant and ask for buttercream.  Cake not in the budget?  Check out the mini-cupcakes, cookies or cake pops.

Bella Christie’s will deliver desserts, which saves me time and reduces stress.  If you’re not planning a party, they’ll still bring sweet treats to your door step.  Right now, the bakery is raising money to purchase a cupcake truck.

Click here  to donate to their kickstarter campaign.  It’s really not a “donation,” because in exchange for five donated dollars, you’ll receive two cupcakes.   And the more you give, the more you get.  They’ll deliver doughnuts, coffee, cupcakes and more!  They’ll even name their first-born (new cupcake that is) after you.